Behavioral changes and neurochemical responses in Chinese rare minnow exposed to four psychoactive substances

• Published in: The Science of the total environment Vol. 808; p. 152100
• Main Authors: Gao, Siyue, Yang, Fangxing
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 20.02.2022
• Subjects: Animals; Behavior; China; Chinese rare minnow; Comprehensive evaluation; Cyprinidae; Neurochemical; Neurotoxicity; Neurotransmitter Agents; Psychoactive substance; Water Pollutants, Chemical - toxicity; China; Neurochemical; Neurotoxicity; Chinese rare minnow; Comprehensive evaluation; Behavior; Psychoactive substance
• ISSN: 0048-9697; 1879-1026
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.152100

With the increase use of psychoactive pharmaceuticals, these substances and their metabolites are frequently detected in aquatic environment. However, there is still a knowledge gap in the neurotoxicity of these pollutants on aquatic organisms as well as related behavioral effects. In this study, the effects of four psychoactive substances alprazolam (ALPZ), lorazepam (LORZ), codeine (COD) and morphine (MOR) were investigated on 23 neurochemicals and 5 behaviors in Chinese rare minnow (Gobiocypris rarus). The comprehensive neurotoxicity was then evaluated at three levels of neurochemical, neurotransmitter system and comprehensive index. The results indicated that ALPZ and LORZ not only increased serotonin and dopamine along with the decrease of glutamic acid, but also depressed the locomotory activity of Chinese rare minnow although without significance. Exposure to COD and MOR increased acetylcholine, dopamine and adrenaline, and significantly increased anxiety-related behaviors of Chinese rare minnow. Comprehensive evaluation showed that COD has the lowest neurotoxic effect on Chinese rare minnow. LORZ shows a stronger neurotoxicity at low concentration of exposure than the other three substances. MOR has the highest neurotoxic effect at high concentration of exposure among the four drugs. The findings revealed the comprehensive neurotoxicity of these psychoactive substances in fish and suggested ecological risks of these pollutants in aquatic environment. [Display omitted] •The neurotoxicity of ALPZ, LORZ, COD and MOR was evaluated at three levels.•ALPZ, LORZ, COD and MOR alter the levels of neurochemicals.•COD and MOR lead to behavioral changes including thigmotaxis.•COD has the lowest neurotoxic effect on Chinese rare minnow.•LORZ and MOR show stronger neurotoxicity at low and high concentration respectively.